Why This Matters

  • COUNSELOR JOBS EXPECTED TO GROW BY 14%

    The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the overall employment of counselors, social workers, and other community and social service specialists to grow by 14% from 2019 to 2029. Substance abuse counselor jobs are expected to grow by 17 percent.

  • EARN AN AVERAGE SALARY OF $39,305

    The bottom 10% of Christian counselors earn less than $23,000, while the top 10% earn over $94,000.

  • 45% OF CHRISTIAN COUNSELORS HAVE A BACHELOR’S DEGREE

    A Bachelor’s degree is the most common education level for Christian counselors. Many Christian counselors take their education even further, as 21% have a Master’s degree.

Our Research

This list focuses on Bachelor’s degree programs in Christian counseling. There are many jobs available for counselors with this level of education. Many students also complete a Master’s or Doctorate program.

In this guide, we have only included schools accredited by institutions such as the Association for Biblical Higher Education and the Higher Learning Commission. If you decide to go to a different school, this accreditation will make it easier to transfer your credits.

  • 28 hours to write this article
  • 56 universities and colleges we assessed
  • 102 education programs we compared

The Top 50 Best Bachelor’s in Christian Counseling Programs

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What You Should Know About This Degree

There are many similar programs to Christian counseling, such as theology, church ministry, and early childhood education. Before you commit to a particular program, consider if it is best suited for your interests and goals.

This degree can be applied to many different roles in the Christian community. After graduating from this program, you will be qualified for jobs such as a counselor, pastor, chaplain, missionary, and seminary teacher.

If you decide to pursue a career as a counselor, you will have the option to specialize in a particular area, such as marriage counseling, family counseling, or substance abuse counseling.

Unlike most counseling professions, Chrisitan counselors generally do not need to be licensed. There are additional credentials available, such as the AIHCP Spiritual Christian Counseling Certification, that you can use to learn new skills and bolster your resume.

What’s Next?

Here are some questions to ask when researching Christian counseling programs:

  • Am I eligible for this program? In addition to your academic record, you may need to have a Christian character reference or bible knowledge test approved before you can be accepted into a particular program.
  • How long does it take to complete this degree? As with most Bachelor’s programs, this degree takes around four years to complete or longer if you are on a part-time schedule.

For each program you are interested in, keep track of application deadlines and any fees or additional materials you will need to submit. If this information is not available online, contact the school’s admissions department.

Finance is a concern. You should talk to school officials about financial aid opportunities available to you. We recommend you search and apply to scholarships not affiliated with the program as well.